Erectile member



. 1967 e. F. GRCSCHKE 3,350,751

ERECTILE MEMBER Filed Nov. 23, 1964 Fig. I

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 28 GEORGE F. GROSCHKE AGENT Nov. 7, 1967 ca.F. GROSCHKE ERECTILE MEMBER 2 Sheets-Sheet? Filed Nov. 23, 1964 r m m s7! m o a E o G R United States Patent 3,350,751 ERECTILE MEMBER GeorgeF. Groschke, Broomall, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, acorporation of New York Filed Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 413,240 6 Claims.(Cl. 24-201) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Flexible strip is provided onone edge with a sequence of slots parallel to edge and on other edgewith protruding tongues relieved in back to produce backward-extendingtabs. Strip is formed into tube by tucking tongue into slot, locking itin position with tab.

.many such uses it is convenient (or essential) that such masts (tostandardize a convenient term) be capable of collapse into small volumeand later erection into mast form. If great strength or rigidity are notrequired, it is .feasible to utilize the elasticity of thin metal orplastic materials which have a permanent set in the shape of elongatedwraparound tubes, formed with overlap but no edge fastening; whererigidity may be negligible even a partial wrap (as in self-extendingmeasuring tapes) will 'suflice. The overlapping metal tube has beenproduced for use as an extensible spar or mast for use as an antenna 'orfor stabilizing spacecraft by the gradient of gravity.

Such elastic permanently set members may be collapsed by forciblyrolling them around their shorter axes and restraining them in suchrolled condition until their erection is again desirable, in which casethey may be unrolled and will extend themselves. However, suchpermanently set structures have the disadvantage that, because of theabsence of edge bonding, they can deflect rather readily.

Also, to provide an extended piece with a particular permanent setcomplicates the supply problem; the permanent set must be imparted insome factory or equivalent, a and the product issued therefrom isdevoted to a particular use; it is no longer interchangeable with otherstrip stock of the same material.

I have invented a simple way of forming a mast of flexible stripmaterial which requires only a simple punching at both edges to permitthe fastening of opposite edges of the strip to form a rigid tube,without protruding edges. The manner of edge fastening is such that thestrip may be rolled and edge-fastened by passage through a simpleformer-fastener; and it may be unfastened and restored to its flat stripcondition by movement in reverse through the former-fastener. Theparticular manner of edge fastening is not limited to fastening oppositeedges of the same sheet, but may be used to fasten different pieces ofmaterial. Neither tension nor compression nor alternation of both willloosen the fastening.

Thus it is generally my object to teach the formation of a rigid tubularstructure from a flexible strip and, as part i of such disclosure,.toteach a convenient and inexpensive way of releasably but reliablyfastening the edges of a flexible sheet material to another material.Accomplishment of these objectives achieves economy, lightness,

"compactness, and similar ancillary objects which those skilled in theart will appreciate without recital.

For the better understanding of my invention I have provided figures ofdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents a strip of material edge-punched according to myinvention;

FIG. 2 represents edges of material according to FIG. 1 partiallyjoined;

FIG. 3 represents an end view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents edges of material according to FIG. 1 completelyjoined;

FIG. 5 represents an end view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents an exploded view of a formerfastener according to myinvention;

FIG. 7 represents an alternate view of a forming guide according to myinvention;

FIG. 8 represents an end view of an edge guide according to myinvention;

FIG. 9 represents an assembled former-fastener according to my inventionoperating upon material according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 represents a mode of application of a structure according to myinvention.

FIG. 1 represents a portion of a strip 20 having generally two paralleledge regions 22 and 24. In the region 24 there are oval perforations 26which, in a successful embodiment, were one inch long, spaced one inchbetween ends of successive perforations, were inch .wide and were spacedone-fourth inch from the nearer edge of strip 20. The region 22 issomewhat more elaborately punched and trimmed. From the edge of region22 there protrude trapezoidal tongues 28 which, in a successfulembodiment were three-fourths inch long at the base, inch wide at thetop, and inch high. Oval slots 30, in the same embodiment, were one inchlong, %4, inch wide, and had reentrant trapezoidal tongues 32 of basedimensions inch, top dimension one-fourth inch, and height ,4 inch. Allthe tongues and slots thus far recited perform topological functions inedge fastening. Oval slots 34, on the other hand, which in theembodiment cited were one-half inch long and A inch wide, are providedonly to modify the stiffness of the strip in their vicinity; they do notreceive locking tongues. For reasons which will appear in theconsideration of FIG. 2, tongues 28 and 32, and slots 30 and 34 arelocated symmetrically around axes of symmetry of oval slots 26. In theembodiment cited, the sides of slots 30 nearest edge 36 of the stripwere inch distant from edge 36, and the sides of slots 34 nearest slots30 were A inch distant therefrom.

FIG. 2 represents the first stage in the engagement of the joint betweenedge regions 22 and 24. The strip 20 is formed into a circular cylinderand edge region 22 is bent downward at a greater angle with thehorizontal than edge region 24, so that tongues 28 enter slots 26. Anend view of this engagement is represented by FIG. 3. It is evident fromthe figures that there is nothing to prevent tongues 28 from slippingbackward out of slots 26, However, this initial step of insertingtongues 28 into slots 26 is important because (a) it is readily effectedby pressing edge regions 22 and 24 together in proper angularrelationship; and (b) when accomplished, it prepares the way for thetucking in of tabs 32, as represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, to form arigidly interlocked connection.

FIG. 6 represents an exploded View of a former-fastener comprising asleeve 38, an engaging or forming guide 40, a separator 42, a tube oredge guide 44, and a beveled locking or tucking roller 46 which issupported by locking roller mounting assembly 48. FIG. 7 shows apictorial view of the underside of engaging guide 40, revealing how itis rounded so that when an edge portion 22 is forced against theunderside of 40, the tongues 28 will be pointed downward as indicated inFIG. 3, so that tongues 28 enter slots 26. FIG. 8 is an end view of tubeguide 44. It shows that, in addition to an upper slot for receivingseparator 42, tube guide 44 has a horizontal lower slot. This slot isfor receiving the edge portion 26 of the strip material 20. FIG. 9represents the former-fastener assembled with strip material 20 inplace. In such case the edge portion 26 of strip 26 is in the horizontalslot of tube guide 44; and the remainder of strip 20 extends in acounter-clockwise direction around the inside of sleeve 38, extending upover separator 4-2 with edge portion 22 coming against the underside ofthe curved portion of engaging guide 40, so that tongues 28 are pointeddown toward slots 26. Edge portion 22 extends above separator 42 andtube guide 44. As strip 20 is advanced in the direction indicated by thearrow, the taper of engaging guide 40 causes tongues 28 to be insertedin slots 26, as represented in FIG. 2. Further advance causes the thusinserted tongues 28 to pass in the vicinity of locking roller 46.Locking roller 46 is so located that it bears upon tabs 32 as they passbeneath it, tucking tabs 32 beneath the edge of slot 26, as representedin FIG. 4. Thus by feeding the strip 20 in the direction shown by thearrow of FIG. 9, the strip is edge joined to form a tubular structure.If the motion of the strip is reversed, separator 42 releases the jointsof tongues 28 and 32 with slots 26, snapping the tongues out past theedges of slots 26 (somewhat as an inserted index finger peels an orange)and returning the strip to its original fiat condition.

For use with the dimensions given for the embodiment found satisfactory,sleeve 38 was two inches in outside diameter with a wall /8 inch thickand was about six and one-half inches long. Locking wheel 46 was beveledto a sharp edge and was about three-eighths inch in diameter.

It is apparent that the particular mode of edge fastening is notconfined to formation of cylinders from a single piece, but could alsobe used to fasten two different pieces appropriately punched andtrimmed. In such case, since it is necessary to provide a force tendingto cause tongues 28 to slip into slots 26, and, at least initially, tosecure proper registry between slots 26 and the tongues 28 and 32, itwould be feasible and desirable to feed the respective punched andtrimmed parts by means of sprockets having suitable protrusions toengage slots 26, for the one edge, and slots 30 or 34, for the other.From my disclosure it should be apparent that, while it is convenient tohave perforations 26 collinear, that is, with their corresponding longedges in line and to have tongues 28 similarly collinear lengthwise, itis not necessary for the use of the fastening configuration I disclosethat this be true. So long as suitable relative motion of the materialportion bearing the first perforations 26 and of the material portionbearing the tongues 28 and 32 will permit tongues 28 to enterperforations 26 and tongues 32' to be tucked in also, perforations 26may have arbitrary orientation. Thus, it is not even strictly necessarythat the perforations be located at the edge of the sheet, although foruse of an automatic former-fastener such as I have described, it ishighly desirable.

For completeness", FIG. represents schematically an installation forautomatically extending and retracting a cylindrical mast or rigidmember by my invention. A supply roll 50 running on bearings 52 and 54carries a supply of strip 20. The punching and trimming of strip 20 isomitted because it has been amply represented elsewhere. A motor 56drives drive rollers 58, supported by bearings 60 and 62. Idler bearingsnot visible through strip 20 bear against the part of strip 20 incontact with rollers 58, so that rotation of motor 56 and rollers 58will advance or retract strip 20. When the strip 20 is advanced, itmeets rollers 64 and 66 which, while not essential, are desirable toassist strip 20 in bowing toward cylindrical form so it can enterformer-fastener 68 and be edge-fastened into an erected member 70. Ifthe equipment shown in mounted in a space vehicle, member 70 may serveas a gravity-gradient stabilizer. If strip 20 is of an electricallyconductive material, such as a springy metal, member 70 may serve as astub antenna which may be driven by any of the many ways well known inthe 5 antenna art. Clearly, there are many uses for mast-likestructures.

The material of strip 20 is not critical; paper, plastic, and metal havebeen found to work satisfactorily. There is no reason why a compositematerial such as plastic and metal should not function satisfactorily,provided that there is no great disparity between the properties of theedges to be joined. Obviously, a soft paper edge would tear if anattempt were made to join it with a very stiff metal edge withsharp-edged tongues.

The subdivision of claims into subparagraphs is for the purpose offacilitating reading and has no necessary relation to relationship orrelative importance of the elements recited therein.

What is claimed is:

1. Fastening means comprising:

female means comprising a first portion of material of given thicknessperforated with first perforations whose length is greater than theirwidth,

both the said length and said width being much larger than the saidthickness of the first portion of material;

male means comprising a second portion of material having an edge fromwhich protrude first tapered tongues whose distal end is shorter thanthe length of the said first perforations perforated within the regionadjacent to the said edge with second perforations having at their edgescloser to the said first tongues second tapered tongues extending intothe apertures of the said second perforations in a direction oppositefrom that in which the said first tongues extend,

the distance between the base of a first tongue and the base of anopposed second tongue being not greater than the width of a firstperforation,

the spacing and orientation of the said perforations and tongues beingsuch that the lengths of the said first and second tongues and the saidsecond perforations are parallel to each other,

a first tongue and a second tongue lie between the lines tangent to theopposite ends of a second perforation and normal to its length, and

the said first tongues may, by relative motion of the said first portionof material and the said second portion of material, be caused to enterinto the said first perforations, each of the said second tongues beingpositioned medially of an associated said second aperture and having alength such as to provide sufiicient space thereabove and therebelow toenable use of roller type tongue tucking means therewith.

2. Fastening means as claimed in claim 1, in which the said firstperforations are collinear lengthwise, of

equal lengths, and uniformly spaced in the direction of their lengths;

the said first tapered tongues at their bases are collinear lengthwise,of equal lengths.

3. As a new product, a strip of material comprising the fastening meansclaimed in claim 1.

4. A former-fastener for fastening protruding-tongued andreentrant-tongued strip edges to perforated strip edges, comprisingguide means for guiding the perforated strip edges;

forming means for forming the said strip into an approximately circularshape and to constrict the said tongued edge to cause the therefromprotruding 5 tongues to enter the perforations of the said perforatededge; tucking means for tucking the reentrant tongues of the saidtongued edge into the perforations of the said perforated edge.

5. A former-fastener as claimed in claim 4 in which a separator extendsbetween the said guide means and the said forming means.

6. The method of forming a rigid tubular collapsible structure whichcomprises the steps of providing a supply of flexible strip materialperforated and shaped into opposed protruding and reentrant tongues inthe vicinity of its edges to permit joining of opposite edges of thesaid strip by insertion of tongues in perforations;

advancing the said flexible strip material between forming means to formthe said strip into an approximately circular shape and to constrict thesaid strip to cause some said protruding tongues to enter some firstsaid perforations and then between tucking means to tuck said reentranttongues associated with said some protruding tongues into some firstsaid perforations; advancing the said flexible material thence toprotrude as a rigid tubular structure; retracting the said flexiblestrip material over a separating finger to remove said tongues from saidfirst perforations, to collapse said rigid tubular structure,

and returning the said flexible strip material to the said supply.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 161,409 3/ 1875 Hardman 2420450,142 4/1891 Davidson et al 138-199 638,261 12/1899 McCool 138-1662,025,201 12/1935 Graham 22921 X 2,698,031 12/1954 Primich 138-1672,960,561 11/1960 Plummer 138-168 X 3,092,530 6/1963 Plummer 138-166 X3,250,077 5/1966 Ede 29429 X DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

1. FASTENING MEANS COMPRISING: FEMALE MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST PORTIONOF MATERIAL OF GIVEN THICKNESS PERFORATED WITH FIRST PERFORATIONS WHOSELENGTH IS GREATER THAN THEIR WIDTH, BOTH THE SAID LENGTH AND SAID WIDTHBEING MUCH LARGER THAN THE SAID THICKNESS OF THE FIRST PORTION OFMATERIAL; MALE MEANS COMPRISING A SECOND PORTION OF MATERIAL HAVING ANEDGE FROM WHICH PROTRUDE FIRST TAPERED TONGUES WHOSE DISTAL END ISSHORTER THAN THE LENGTH OF THE SAID FIRST PERFORATIONS PERFORATED WITHINTHE REGION ADJACENT TO THE SAID EDGE WITH SECOND PERFORATIONS HAVING ATTHEIR EDGES CLOSER TO THE SAID FIRST TONGUES SECOND TAPERED TONGUESEXTENDING INTO THE APERTURES OF THE SAID SECOND PERFORATIONS IN ADIRECTION OPPOSITE FROM THAT IN WHICH THE SAID FIRST TONGUES EXTEND, THEDISTANCE BETWEEN THE BASE OF A FIRST TONGUE AND THE BASE OF AN OPPOSEDSECOND TONGUE BEING NOT GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF A FIRST PERFORATION,THE SPACING AND ORIENTATION OF THE SAID PERFORATIONS AND TONGUES BEINGSUCH THAT THE LENGTHS OF THE SAID FIRST AND SECOND TONGUES AND THE SAIDSECOND PERFORATIONS ARE PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, A FIRST TONGUE AND ASECOND TONGUE LIE BETWEEN THE LINES TANGENT TO THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF ASECOND PERFORATION AND NORMAL TO ITS LENGTH, AND THE SAID FIRST TONGUESMAY, BY RELATIVE MOTION OF THE SAID FIRST PORTION OF MATERIAL AND THESAID SECOND PORTION OF MATERIAL, BE CAUSED TO ENTER INTO THE SAID FIRSTPERFORATIONS, EACH OF THE SAID SECOND TONGUES BEING POSITIONED MEDIALLYOF AN ASSOCIATED SAID SECOND APERTURE AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH AS TOPROVIDE SUFFICIENT SPACE THEREABOVE AND THEREBELOW TO ENABLE USE OFROLLER TYPE TONGUE TUCKING MEANS THEREWITH.